DIT damages Cove 2 & causes entanglement incident.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:48 pm

Please read the entire post before responding (I'm sorry, I know it's going to be long but I'm trying to be as detailed and accurate as possible)...

This is ONLY my personal account of these events and my opinions. I have waited several days before posting this to allow my emotions to calm down and to allow the authorities to begin addressing the issue.

Last Thursday morning, 9-13-07, my friend Amy and I arrived at Cove 2 for some recreational diving. As we arrived, we saw Diver's Institute of Technology (DIT) training hard-hat divers with surface supplied air in Cove 2 as well. One of their students came up to chat with us and told us they were doing bottom-heavy training where they were walking along the bottom (no buoyancy compensation). At first I thought the visibility was going to be the only problem, but I was very wrong.

They were rotating 3 hard-hat divers in the water at a time (there were many students there having had, or waiting for, their turn) who were going out to the end of their 300' umbilical and then spending time there before returning to the shore. They were in the southeast end of Cove 2 and the divers were out between the white can buoy and the last two yellow boundary buoy-markers.

While we were putting our gear together, we continued to watch them (hoping they'd finish and leave). Twice we witnessed bubbles inside the yellow boundary buoys and I explained to my out-of-town guest that they were inside the no dive zone. There were no other divers in the water.

Our plan was to drop at the white can buoy, visit the I-beams, come up the line to the pilings, continue up the pilings to the Honey Bear, then return to the beach - approx 50-60min run time. Knowing the visibility would be especially bad, we'd discussed separation and abortion plans in depth.

After our gear and bubble checks, my friend and I began our surface swim out to the white can buoy. As we did, we witnessed bubble trails moving quite rapidly across the bottom. Knowing they couldn't get to the I-beams, we were looking forward to getting there and actually being able to see something. We descended down the white buoy chain in to an absolute white-out. HID lights kept us together and my compass got us to the clear, deeper water. We enjoyed the I-beams and had a particularly fun interaction with a large cabbie. As our planned time at the beams was nearing its end, we proceeded up the rope into the white-out again.

As we proceeded up hill, a hard-hat diver came bounding, jumping, crashing, and sliding (in my opinion, "pillaging" and "destroying" come to mind as appropriate terms) down hill toward us to the extent we had to move quickly to avoid being run-over. The diver passed us and then the umbilical move sharply and quickly toward me faster than I could get out of its way. It became entangled in my first stage and I considered cutting myself free very seriously. I was able to free myself without use of a knife after a minute or so of being pulled backward (and almost becoming separated from my buddy) by the diver who was out of sight due to the visibility.

Once free, I regained contact with my buddy we attempted to cross the cove to get away from the hazardous divers. About a minute after the first incident, I witnessed another hard-hat diver "charging" down the hill towing his umbilical and then leaping off a piling crashing into the bottom... destroying everything in his path. A second after he passed us, his umbilical turned straight toward us, immediately becoming entangled in my harness and back-up regulator as I tried to push it below me to avoid it. Again, I found myself very seriously considering the use of my knife, but was able to free myself without it. (Note: The two times I considered using my knife to free myself, I chose not to do so as it would have forced a DIT student to bail-out to their back-gas. I didn't want to be the cause of someone's death or injury should they not have been able to bail-out successfully following the severance of their umbilical and was determined to do everything I could to free myself without use of a cutting instrument. I believe I made the right decision despite my emotions and adrenaline urging me to take the obvious option of cutting free.)

We continued heading for the boundary line, and soon I experienced the "this doesn't look right" feeling. Having completed our safety stops, I surfaced to find us in the middle of the no-dive-zone (then I remembered witnessing the two times the bubbles were across the line wondering where else the line was damaged). We quickly left the no-dive-zone and I found the damaged boundary line. I attempted to fix what I could in hopes it'd be enough that others later in the day wouldn't fall victim to the buried and mangled line as we did.

We exited the water and packed our gear - Cove 2 wasn't safe for recreational divers with DIT there.

I did not address any of the DIT staff as I was ignorant to whether they were permitted to be there and was ignorant to any politics surrounding DIT, Cove 2, the City, and the dive community. Knowing my emotions were charged, I didn't want to take any action which could possibly jeopardize Cove 2 for the diving community out of my ignorance (of the situation) and rage. I also was too angry and adrenaline-pumped (following the entanglement issues and finding myself in the no-dive-zone) to be confident I would remain rational should a DIT instructor object to my complaints.

Later in the day, after processing and discussing what had happened, I wasn't comfortable just "letting it go." I contacted Randy Williams, (Starfish Diving Inc. and "RDW" on this board) as he knows the politics of Cove 2 and has been in the local diving community for MUCH longer than I have. He was extremely upset and advised me to write a letter, copying Kathy Whitman (Aquatics Manager for the City of Seattle). I told Randy I believed that something had to be done quickly as a DIT student told us they were planning to be out there Friday (the next day) at 7am again. It was after hours, but we decided trying a call was better than doing nothing. Randy also said he would advise Jack Connick (a local diver who was/is heavily involved in keeping Cove 2 what it is, the politics with the City, and keeping it available to divers and safe) immediately.

I contacted Kathy Whitman who happened to answer her phone, after business hours, on the first ring. She was EXTREMELY helpful and is VERY pro-diving community, especially in Cove 2. I told her Randy said to call her, and shared my experience with her. She thanked me and said she would call me back but that she was calling DIT immediately. She called me later saying DIT would NOT be out there the next day and that if they were, that I should call Harbor Patrol (I was already planning to dive with “LCF” at Cove 2 the next morning anyway).

It should be noted, during the dive on Friday with LCF, I could see significant disturbance of the marine wildlife environment including distinct boot prints... it was disturbing to see and it completely offended me (not easy to do). It was clear that something awful had happened recently and appeared, in my opinion, to look like someone drove several tanks up and down the sea floor, demolishing everything in their path.

The next day my friend was in the Fish & Chips place (while Lynne and I were diving) when she overheard a man identify himself to someone at the restaurant. He asked if they'd been the ones who called, and when they said no, he asked if they knew who had. He also asked them if they liked DIT training there (which of course they did - they sell fish and fries to their bored, hungry students) and solicited a phone call from them to someone (my friend thinks she heard Kathy Whitman’s name) to tell them (her) that they liked having DIT at Cove 2.

Also on Friday, I spoke at length with Jack Connick about my incident and about what had transpired up to that point. Following this conversation, I felt very confident the situation was in the best hands it could be. The City of Seattle was taking action and some of our local Cove 2 guardians were now involved.

Other stuff I've come to learn:
-DIT applied for a permit to do hard-hat diving training and was granted one at Magnesson Park for a fee. They declined the permit.
-DIT was in Cove 2 without any permit (which is required according to the City).
-DIT had recently blocked half of the West Seattle boat launch (violation of harbor code).
-Cove 2 is a City of Seattle park and leases the bottom (the sea floor) from Washington DNR.

There were certainly violations of law associated with this training. There were also, in my opinion, sever ethical violations surrounding the park and its marine life. Unfortunately there aren't laws against ethics violations so the focus must be on the laws that were broken.

The City of Seattle REALLY came through for us, the dive community, as well as for me personally, a recreational diver who was recklessly endangered due to the irresponsible and illegal actions of DIT. Kathy Whitman and her department deserve a HUGE "Thank You" for being an advocate for the recreational diving community.

Randy Williams and Jack Connick were extremely helpful and resourceful in helping me report my incident through the proper channels. They are actively involved in the up-keep of the Coves and are planning some work parties for the Coves soon. PLEASE COME SUPPORT THE WORK PARTIES!!! Most of us enjoy diving in the Coves, and we have a responsibility to keep it healthy. I know I will be at the next work party - perhaps it'd make for another good NWDC Dive & Pizza day!

I'm sure this post will stir things up, and I'm sure by the time you've read all the way down to here, your emotions are running pretty high. I'm very interested in hearing what the group's responses are, and while honesty is critical, please keep it constructive and respectful.

Edited trying to get pictures loaded. I give up... Tom?

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:56 pm

Scary Stuff

I'm glad that you and your friend are OK...

OK, here we go...

Grateful Diver · Post by **Grateful Diver** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:58 pm

Personally, I think that given the type of diving they are doing they should train at other locations. I have seen them doing the same things directly off the boat ramp in the past ... and presumed they had permission to do so. In hindsight I'm not so sure.

Perhaps if they really need to train at Seacrest Park they should use Cove 1, where there's no structure to damage and no "forbidden zone" to blunder into ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

kirbycook · Post by **kirbycook** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:07 pm

Sounder - Wow, what an experience!

It's always extremely disturbing to me when a group of divers (students, commercial or rec - we're all divers) behaves in such a reckless way. You demonstrated much more restraint on the beach than I probably could have...

As bad as DIT behaved it's nice to see there are folks out there like you, Randy, Kathy and Jack.

Kirby-

mattwave · Post by **mattwave** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:20 pm

Yah, bummer - I have seen them train at Magnussen, that explains the crappy vis in the lake.

Penopolypants · Post by **Penopolypants** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:41 pm

That is truly appalling behavior by DIT. Kudos to you and everyone else for following through and not letting this just slide by!

I understand their need for a training location, but Cove 2 is completely inappropriate. Not just for the damage to marine habitat but also for the obvious dangers of mixing recreational divers with non-recreational divers. Had you been a less experienced diver, your entanglements could have been even more dangerous. I can’t imagine what some student right out of open water would have done in that situation.

I agree with Bob that Cove 1 would be more appropriate as it is less crowded with people and with marine life.

Nwbrewer · Post by **Nwbrewer** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:50 pm

You should have found a piling to tie his hose to.....

Seth T. · Post by **Seth T.** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:54 pm

Nwbrewer wrote:You should have found a piling to tie his hose to.....

Exacly what I was thinking!

decodiver25 · Post by **decodiver25** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:55 pm

DIT needs to be training in other areas, by diving at cove two with surfaced supplied air they are putting open curcuit divers at great risk as you experienced first hand. I have seen them at Mukilteo T-pier a few times when a buddy and i have made our dives there. I have also come into close contact with god dam ambilical cords, one has to really watch out for those things...they are very careless and will litterally walk all over anthing in their path with no respect for wild life at all!!!!

GillyWeed · Post by **GillyWeed** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:13 pm

Wow.. I am so glad that you are ok Sounder.. What a crappy experiance. I for one would not have been able to keep my mouth shut. It is one thing to distroy the bottom of the cove.. That's bad but what is more disturbing is that these DITer's didn't have enough control to avoid putting another person who had every right to be there in mortal jeapordy. Anytime you have to seriously consider cutting someone's air supply to get away that is mortal jeapordy in my opinion. Luckily your skill level and general confidence in the water allowed you to get out of the situation with out it getting out of hand.. But it happened TWICE!!! I would have ended my dive with a nice long screaming match in the parking lot with one of the DIT instructors.. I don't care what you are doing and if you have a right to be there or not.. If you put a human being at risk like that you are wrong. A lot of divers if put in your situation, would have paniced.. You don't have to be a newb to panic in a situation like that, either.. Shame on the DIT instructors for allowing something like that to happen. I don't know that I can exactly blame the students.. Do they really know what they are doing. Can we blame the 1st time in the open water divers for walking with their fins on the bottom.. We can try to get them to stop but it doesn't always work. I guess it was a Thursday so no real fear of OW classes going on but Peas and Rice!!!!!! What if someone had had a private lesson going on right then..

I am upset about the distruction of the bottom too.. But not nearly as upset as I am with the lack of concern for the other divers in the water..

Thanks for sharing Sounder and again I am glad you are alright!!!!

Grateful Diver · Post by **Grateful Diver** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:22 pm

mattwave wrote:Yah, bummer - I have seen them train at Magnussen, that explains the crappy vis in the lake.

Yeah, that and about a hundred million gallons of stormwater runoff every time it rains ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Post by **Sea of Green** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:52 pm

I'm puzzled why they had to use Cove 2, the more popular of the 3? I usually see them at Cove 1 next to Salty's. The fish/chips restaurant would still get business if they used Cove 1 or 3.

Good call on contacting Randy about it.

Tom Nic · Post by **Tom Nic** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:01 pm

Sounder wrote:Edited trying to get pictures loaded. I give up... Tom?

Here's the pics you sent me... sorry they didn't work in the original post.
<a href="" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1329/139 ... 9eaadb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DIT_2"></a>

<a href="" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1157/139 ... f6d931.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DIT_6"></a>

Jeff Kruse · Post by **Jeff Kruse** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:24 pm

I hoped you locked your car doors before you went in the water with DIT divers around...

I bet as soon as the DIT divers hit shore they lit up their smokes.

Aquanautchuck · Post by **Aquanautchuck** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:38 pm

Dang Doug, I am glad you are OK. Once would of been enough for me.

You would think that that they could find some nice muddy place to dive where they would not put any recreational divers in harms way or the sea life.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:52 pm

Jeff Kruse wrote:I hoped you locked your car doors before you went in the water with DIT divers around...

I bet as soon as the DIT divers hit shore they lit up their smokes.

Actually Jeff, I remembered what you had shared a while back and I DID lock my car doors and close the windows on my shell (sometimes I leave them cracked depending on where I am).

And yes, most all we smoking the entire time... some lit up literally 1 minute after surfacing (as soon as they could hand the gear to the next guy) while still dripping wet in their drysuits.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:09 pm

I agree with everyone here, and frankly I was really glad I have the experience and confidence underwater that I do too. It could have been much worse for a less experienced diver (and I still consider myself quite new and inexperienced).

Note: The picture of me with the cord below me was taken in about 20fsw after both incidents were cleared... come to think of it, it was probably as I was about to cross into the no-dive zone... anyone see the boundary rope? Nope, me neither... because it was f-ed until I was about to find and fix it.

Nwbrewer wrote:
You should have found a piling to tie his hose to.....

I considered many things during this dive... some I will take with me to my grave. I'm sure I gave some pretty strange pulling-on-the-cord messages to the surface team though! I also learned that you can communicate 4 letter words through your regulator.

The worst part was losing track of my friend from Tucson who, while she has 100+ dives in the Sea of Cortez, was in very unfamiliar waters here in our beautiful PNW.

The declining of the permit (presumably, in my opinion, because they didn't want to pay the fee) to train at Magnussen and then showing up somewhere else, Cove 2 of all places, to do the same thing on the same day, WITHOUT A PERMIT (which they clearly KNEW they needed), is a complete disregard for the City of Seattle and is just plain arrogance.

Since they're so interested in who called the City, I will be sending a formal letter to them and will ensure a copy is posted here for all to read. I will also be filing a formal complaint with all the appropriate governing agencies. I will be sure to keep this thread updated with developments.

Please continue to respond. This, and other boards, is a great way to show people how many divers were affected and what their reactions to the incident are. There are many eyes on these websites, fortunately several of them are on our side of this battle.

Again, please continue to respond. And Kudos to everyone here for keeping this constructive in true NWDC fashion.

Pez7378 · Post by **Pez7378** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:09 pm

Doug, I'm glad to hear you are okay, and I'm sorry your friend Amy had to experience that behavior from our local commercial dive school. It surprises me that they don't have any other place to conduct their training.

Clearly Commercial diving and Recreational diving do not subscribe to the same philosophies about the world beneath the surface. I dont know if these Commercial schools include Ecology or conservation into their curriculum but I'm guessing not. To them, the underwater world is just another job site. Get in, get it done, get out, and get paid.

I hope that DIT, The City and everone involved can come up with some solutions that suit the needs of everyone involved. If laws were broken, DIT should be held accountable, and they need to have a dedicated training location that does not endanger the lives of others.

DIT, pay the fees, get the permits and train your students somewhere that does not endanger other divers in the water. AND STOP TRAMPLING THE WILDLIFE! There are acres and acres of featureless bottom out there. Find it and use it.

dsteding · Post by **dsteding** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:19 pm

I'd find a local, sympathetic reporter. This would make a decent news story.

airsix · Post by **airsix** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:20 pm

Aren't they that same gang from the movie Waterworld, who cruise around on the Exxon Valdez pillaging and generally being a societal menace?

-Ben

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:52 pm

dsteding wrote:I'd find a local, sympathetic reporter. This would make a decent news story.

this is an excellent idea. also, other bloggers or forums could help spread the word and awareness.

sounder, i'm glad you're ok. i have no idea what i would have done in that situation. you handled it like a pro and maintained your composure to boot.

pogiguy05 · Post by **pogiguy05** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:40 pm

Sounder I am glad that your OK and I find your story very disturbing. As I am a new diver I am sure I would have been pulled to my death. I think after the first time I would have safely surfaced and just got out alive. Anyone who acts in that manner should NOT be called divers. NO matter what you are doing technical or recreational diving you should do everything to protect the environment.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:39 pm

pogiguy05 wrote:Sounder I am glad that your OK and I find your story very disturbing. As I am a new diver I am sure I would have been pulled to my death. I think after the first time I would have safely surfaced and just got out alive. Anyone who acts in that manner should NOT be called divers. NO matter what you are doing technical or recreational diving you should do everything to protect the environment.

I agree Jeff, and thanks for your response. We all have a responsibility to the marine life we enjoy and this was a clear lapse in judgement... or a complete disregard (I suspect it was the latter).

Post by **Sea of Green** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:29 pm

spatman wrote:
dsteding wrote:I'd find a local, sympathetic reporter. This would make a decent news story.
this is an excellent idea. also, other bloggers or forums could help spread the word and awareness.

I'm not so sure that would be a good idea given how ignorant media types are of diving. After all, they think we use "oxygen tanks". Also the general public, upon reading of this, aren't going to to know, or care about, the difference between commercial and recreational divers. There are already too many people in the area around the coves that resent divers, period, and I'm concerned that they will use something like this against ALL divers. It's already being handled through the proper channels, let's keep it at that.

Dmitchell · Post by **Dmitchell** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:12 pm

All you need to do is get about 20 sign posts and put them in the ground so they stick up about 6' off the bottom. Scatter them randomly around Cove 2. The next time they are out there they will be so frustrated with trying to drag that hose through the gauntlet that they will hopefully go away!

Would also make a good navigation course to play with!

Or I suppose you could place a few landmines

Dave

Northwest Dive Club

DIT damages Cove 2 & causes entanglement incident.

DIT damages Cove 2 & causes entanglement incident.

Re: DIT damages Cove 2 & causes entanglement incident.